In Defense of Amy and Laurie - Little Women (2019) 

Please leave comments telling me why I’m wrong! I did think it was weird that Laurie decided to go after Jo’s little sister after being rejected by her. I definitely overlooked it because Timothée Chalamet played Laurie. Laurie wanted to be a March so bad.

Shipped Amy and Laurie, when I read the book and when I watched the movie. Jo and Laurie didn't make sense, they are more fitted to be best friends than a couple. For starters, Jo never wanted to get married to Laurie or anyone else. She only got married, because Louisa Alcott was forced to change the ending. However, Amy and Laurie made a lot of sense. Amy made Laurie grow up. She made him a man. She was the only one who had the guts to tell him to stop fooling around. Laurie loves her for that. And, in the book you could see that they got along as a couple as they did when they were just friends. I don't think Jo and Laurie would have gotten along if they got married. Considering that Jo doesn't want to get married and that she doesn't bring the man out of Laurie. Some people may call Amy and Laurie's relationship unrealistic, but I think that it is real and it make sense.

Can I just say how much I love Florence's performance in this film? Amy is so distinctly different in Paris, she's grown up and that transition is do so masterfully.

jo wants to run back to laurie towards the end of the movie because he's familiar, even if she doesn't realize it. laurie represents childhood and all the good memories jo holds with him and her sisters. jo even admits it: she's lonely! beth has just died, and how could we blame her for longing for the past, longing for simpler and joyful times when she didn't have to worry about making money, feeling lonely, or beth's sickness? i'll admit, the first time i watched this movie, i was upset that they didn't end up together, but after i digested it and watched it another time, it is so clear that they would have crashed and burned as a couple. they would have held each other back. amy & laurie and jo & friedrich supremacy luv xo

Amy is so misunderstood as a character. She has such a good character development and arc- she is always been my favourite of all the sisters. And the romance with Laurie...I love it!! I found it very convincing- to be honest they were perfect for each other.

"Are you hurt?" "I'm Amy!"

In the book Amy and Laurie’s love makes complete sense, you actually see the connection and subtle hints long before they end up together towards the end of the story.

You have the most amazing voice ever, it just makes me feel so calm

I agree too! Amy and Laurie are meant for each other. Like Laurie said in the movie, the love he felt for Jo is different. For him, Jo was a crush, but once he fell in love he realized that his love for Jo wasn't romantic, while his love for Amy is!

The reason why every woman in Little Women ended up with someone was because Louisa Alcott was pressured by her publishers to have all her female characters married by the end. Which is why Jo’s storyline focused a lot on sexist publishers telling her how she has to write with the intention of encouraging women to get married. So even with critics stating Laurie and Amy’s relationship makes no sense or has no thematic relevance. Keep in mind the times and how the author herself probably wasn’t too happy about it either. Considering being a “sPiNsTeR” was treated like a swear and deemed a crutch on society for women to refuse marriage and children. You can criticize it but honestly it’s pointless to do so, disregards the context, and invalidates the importance of her work. She encouraged a whole generation of Women to live there lives for themselves. We would probably be set back decades if it weren’t for her trailblazing. Show some respect.

Saw this movie with my sister and the way it ended made sense amy and laurie thrive on what is expected Jo ended up with Friedrich they can challenge each other and complement each other she can make the German professor more at ease and and he is a tether to earth.that the rebellious March sister doesnt mind having

In the script, after Jo and the Professor first meet, he says "No one gets ink stains like yours just out of a desire of money." It reads 'Jo feels the intense pain and pleasure of being seen by someone, of knowing that they know you.'

Jo: I'm independent, I don't want to be a rich housewise Fans: Haha marriage go brr

I genuinely appreciated that you as a man saw value in this movie and it’s themes when so many other men only saw it as another chick flick solely because it focuses on 4 sisters. It’s validating so see a man look at this movie and see it’s values and themes that extend beyond the gender narrative and expectations of society. Themes and values that can be appreciated by everyone no matter who they are. I appreciated especially that the focus of your video was given towards to a romantic development and dynamic in the movie. Something that a lot of people would deem to be only fit for exploration by women since men couldn’t possibly be interested. Also I agree with you wholeheartedly on your perspective and I thought you explained it perfectly and concisely. This video was an absolute delight from beginning to end

This point is illustrated in her SECOND BOOK "Little Men" which chronicles the story if Jo and the professor running a school in Aunt March's big house. It continues all their stories, plus those of the kids in the school, but it just beautifully shows how well they are paired, and the blossoming role of best friends that Laurie continues to play. Not gonna lie, I actually prefer "little men" to "little women" but they are both made better by the stories in the other.

I like your analysis. I believe Laurie fell for Amy after the whole, "Marriage is an economic proposition" conversation. He was used to seeing the childish Amy but after that moment he saw her in a different light. He realised that it was not Jo whom he loved romantically but Amy. After all, if Laurie and Jo were to be married, they would prove to be incompatible to each other. Also, I think Jo didn't get together with the professor at the end, she only wrote it that way because of the publisher. Jo never wanted to marry someone, all she wanted was to be with her family. I think the slight romantic looks given by Jo were added to the story on the demand of the publisher.

I finally got to this movie on my "to watch" list last night and spent the whole second half of the movie in tears. It was beautiful- and like you I went into this movie blind as I had not seen any other films or read the original novel. I loved what you pointed out about how love and good partners should be honest and push you to be better- this is so true. The scene where the professor reads Jo's work and comments on it was so powerful to me- as he said "has no one taken you seriously before?" because that is so true. To take someone seriously is to be honest with them and point out any flaws you may see in their work, not to just say "oh it's lovely!" and keep any criticism or comments to yourself xo

I've always liked how Amy and Laurie ended up together

I really love the last part where you clarify the true importance of the story, and the warm parts of childhood versus the cold separation of adulthood, because it brings words to the reason why I love this story so much as someone who grew up with two sisters (albeit with not such a rosy childhood, but we were together all the same), and all still trying to figure out and pursue our ambitions in our 20s and 30s, separately and somewhat alone.

I have never loved a comment section more than this one seeing how everyone has literal paragraphs about this book and movies and how everyone is just in love with Amy and Laurie which is so true. Jo and Laurie were something else but in a different way. Amy called each one of Laurie's bullshit even after being in love with him she didnt hesistate in pointing it out fearing that she might lose him. Now thats the kind of love a relationship needs. THIS WOMAN MADE HIM A MAN. #amyandlaurieforever

jo will forever be coded as a lesbian to me

This was also my first exposure to the story, and I'll admit I had trouble seeing Amy and Laurie together at the end, but you've given it good context. I can actually picture it now, maybe when I can give it another watch I'll be able to appreciate it better. Thank you!

One thing I love most about your channel is the versatility I never know what your gonna cover next thank you

I loved Amy and Laurie together in the book as well as in the movie. I first read “Little Woman” when I was in my sophomore year of high school and I related a lot to Josephine March. We both liked writing and didn’t really focus on marriage. Like Jo I had a friend who I could be myself around. We thought of each other as protectors. We wanted the best for one another but we didn’t need nor want each other, if that makes sense. I think that’s why I understood Jo’s and Lauries relationship. Amy and Laurie I also understood. I wanted to be able to love someone as she did. I wanted to be able to see some ones potential and help them reach it. I called her the supporter of dreams. I think her and Laurie needed the extra push that can only come froM a gentle push in the right direction. And the gentle push is so hard to get right, it literally takes the right people. As to Jo and professor Bear, I understand why some would say it doesn’t make sense but for me, that was the only logical choice. Sometimes we have a talent so rare and beautiful that when we know it’s good, it’s hard to see the flaws. I also believe that when people care about us and pay attention they can see when we are not being true to ourselves. Jo never needed nor wanted a romantic marriage. I think she needed something honest and helpful. Since she didn’t want to be alone I think being with Bear was an option that offered her a companionship that wouldn’t result in Juvenile behavior. It was simply more her speed. I believe Allotcott chose a suitor who wouldn’t take away Or add to Jo’s gifts or personality. He would simply support her. I think there is something to be admired in all of the relationships including Alcott’s relationship with the world. It tells you a lot about the time in which she was living but it also tells the reader how important and different relationships can be. Love is not always a fairytale nor is it always a person! Love has many faces and many dances! I think her work reflects this beautifully and to criticize is to only criticize the many different flows of life.

6:30 "Jo and Laurie's relationship shows the power of platonic relationships and even their importance." My favorite line in your video. ❤

Thank you so much for talking about this film. I didn't expect to love and feel for the characters and their stories as much as I did.

You never disappoint, Sage. This makes me wanna rewatch it :') 💕

This story reminds me of 2 actors here in my country. They became friends for a long time, the boy never view the girl as love of his life but when that one night, by just staring that girl he just felt the feelings that he had been longing for and just have private conversation with only them he just ask the girl to marry him. 20 years of their marriage btw

Your voice is so relaxing and has so much gravitas. I'd love to hear you narrate an audiobook.

wait people are unhappy about amy and Laurie? damn I loved them

this is absolutely perfect, so spot on!! Every time someone keeps on insisting that Jo and Laurie should have ended together I'll just send them this video and won't be bothered

omg i could listen to analyze everything 😂 so glad i saw this!

Never seen this movie before but I love how your making this have more depth which peeks my curiosity about the nature of the main heroines

this is so truthful BUT IT HURTS SO MUCH i'm crying!!!!!

The thing that makes me doubt about Amy and Laurie pairing it's how Laurie goes on and on about how much he loves Jo. He seems obsessed with her but still he ends up with Amy. It's just like to don't be alone he just married the girl who want him.

For me it was the Laurie misconstrued platonic love and desire to be in Jo’s family’s life with romantic love.

I related so much to the scene where Joe said: "I just want to be loved". I was once loved truly, But I wasn't in love. It is an Isolating feeling but when you are completely alone it seems like it's the only alternative. I found it powerful that Amy ended up with Laurie because It stopped Joe from being completely alone with a man she didn't LOVE. Friendship is very powerful, but Laurie wanted more, It would lead to both of their hearts being broken. However, In my imagination I really wanted Amy to marry someone who showed her the emotions Laurie showed Joe, So that for once in her life she feels like the First choice.

I just finished reading the book today, and, of course, in there it is explained a lot better why Amy and Laurie ended up together. Reading the book I didn't feel like Amy had a girlhood crush on Laurie. They all saw him as their brother, maybe saw him ending up with Meg, if any at all. In the book when he proposes, Beth is still alive, though sick. Jo, anticipating his feelings and her reaction to them, leaves for New York to help Laurie get over her, before she has to refuse him openly. But when she gets back, he proposes anyway, and she pushes him away, because she agrees with her mother, that they wouldn't be good for each other and that he needs someone who is at the same time more and less like himself. During their life together, Jo tries to push Laurie (She tells him not to drink, not to gamble, and make something of his talents), but he rarely does the same for her, and she only ever asserts external pressure on him. He finishes college first of his class for her and is then devastated when that is not enough to make her love him. So he leaves for Europe with his grandfather, where he spends his days in leisure and eventually meets Amy in Nice. There they spend a lot of time together, but only with feelings of siblings for each other, since Laurie is still hung up on Jo and Amy is unhappy by the laziness in his behaviour. Then comes the monologue, where she clearly tells him what she thinks of the way he chooses to spend his time and that she despises him for it. He leaves her, but actually starts getting over Jo and realizes that she is not the only woman he will ever love. And then somewhat naturally the roles of Amy and Jo become reversed, one from sister to lover, the other back. Meanwhile Jo filled her life with caring for Beth and after her death her life is empty and she tries her best to fill it. And while I feel like the professor came in kind of last minute, since she didn't really have feelings for him in her time in New York, I do think he is a better match for her than Laurie would have been. She ends up running a school/orphanage with him, and I think if Alcott had her way she might run it alone or even with the professor, but not in a romantic way. When I watched the movie I was a little confused by the order of events and why people were where they were at certain times, but I think if they had wanted to make the relationship of Amy and Laurie a focus they would have, but they didn't and that is just as well. It's not a focus in the book either and just kind of comes along in the last 100 pages. What I noticed when reading the book, as opposed to romantic works like Pride and Prejudice, was, that it wasn't really structured in a classical way. It was just about four sisters and their lives, with all the ups and downs, mishaps and tragedies that come along naturally, and so did the love between those two people. It just kind of happens as love does and that is fine by me. TL;DR: People fall in and out of love all the time, and that's fine. Amy and Laurie are great together. Also, don't name your child Beth. According to the book that name is cursed.

Holy crap, I love the quiet Your Lie in April music in the background of this video!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤ (ngl I had to rewatch this video because the first time around I was concentrating on the song until around the second half when in changed😂, but the content was great 👍)

I am really loving this video, your thoughts, analysis, your voice. Thanks 🙏🙏😊

Me: I'm not going to cry for Little Women anymore Also me: *cries for a video essay about it*

I think overall I like the original better but the actress who plays any did an amazing job. Also Meryl streep was a great addition along w timothee. The music and cinematography were also top notch

I wasn't aware that this needed to be defended, I would have hated it if Jo and Laurie had ended up together.

Honestly....I DON'T think you're wrong. Louisa May Alcott originally didn't want Jo, the her heroine in her novel, to marry AT ALL. But much as we see in the movie's ending, the publisher insisted that Jo marry because that's the way things were done. So she had Jo marry the good Professor Bhaer. Laurie and Jo are best friends.....and in a way, she DOES consider him to be the brother she never had. The love each other and she leans on him for support during her moments of greatest emotion (like when Beth fell sick and when Amy burned her manuscript) but she's not IN love with him. I DO agree with you.....when Laurie proposes to Jo, she turns him down, but then, when Beth dies, there is a hole in Jo's heart and she feels she needs to be loved, so she wants to marry Laurie, but just for the sake of having someone to love her. When Marmee asks her if she loves Laurie she even says "Its more important for me to BE loved" And in this new movie, I DO like how they expanded Amy and Laurie's relationship. Amy is different from Jo. Her dreams are different. Jo is a free spirit. She wants to be a writer and be independent. Amy wants to be rich and be the elegant and refined lady and marry into high society and pursue her dreams of being an artist. And Laurie supports those dreams. He is a bit lackadaisical when it comes to fulfilling his duty and what's expected of him (from both Amy and his grandfather) but in the end, he's willing to change to prove himself worthy of her. He's not afraid of her ideals and her ambitions. I think all the March sisters consider Laurie to be their affectionate older brother, but as they grew up, that relationship between Amy and Laurie changed into love. They make a good match.

this analysis was great! at first, i was a little bummed out by friedrich because i thought he was a bit last minute, but now that you've shed some light on his and jo's relationship i've definitely grown to like him more! also, the choice of background music was chef's kiss, haha. your lie in april and 5cm per second have incredible music too :D

Your assessment is pretty correct. In "Little Men", Amy continues to challenge Laurie, he works to make her proud of him, and he and Jo are best of friends. Jo can write without feeling guilty.

I love your content. Here's my personal franchise suggestions for future videos. 1) Berserk 2) Hunter x Hunter 3) Akira 4) Code Geass 5) One Piece 6) Hellsing 7) Demon Slayer 8) Bleach 9) Vineland Saga 10) Mob Psycho 100 11) One Punch Man

very good video, opened my mind, highlighted things i missed and changed my perspective

Such a beautiful explanation. I hadn’t seen Amy and Laurie as making any sense!but your perspective has started to make me look at it from a different angle. Thank you for that.

Really fascinating and deeply thoughtful (as always ^^) analysis. Thanks again; didn't know the movie at all, by the way.

I think Jo and Laurie would be so supportive of each other to the point they won't call each other out. They for sure won't be happy if they ended up together. They'll ruin each other. And their partners both knew how to call them out and be honest with them, not being afraid to hurt their feelings.

I feel that when Amy says to laurie that”[she] believes she has power over who she loves” she is saying to laurie that love is something she can develop through time not that she still has feelings for laurie.

Thank you so much for this video and analysis! It honestly really changed my perspective after not being fully satisfied with who each character ended up with. But the points you made proved me wrong and offered more insight! Thanks again.

Jo and Laurie are more like Harry and Hermione. but Amy and Laurie were made for each other. she was the one who was able to control him and bring him to the right part. I don't understand why people hate on Amy. she is really the beest.

I loved this video. I feel the same way and I think you analyzed this so beautifully.

that was excellently put. much love

This was so beautiful especially the end part about how its not a love story

I think it boils down to this, Jo can’t push Laurie to be his best and he can’t push her because he puts her on a pedestal, Amy and Laurie can challenge each other and help each other grow as equals. As I see it, Jo and Laurie are kindred spirits, people who experience the world in a way that is so the same, while Laurie and Amy are soul mates, people who compliment each other through their differences.

I remember watching the movie for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I have never read Little Women nor have I seen another adaptation. I went into it blindly, just wanting something to watch. Naturally, I fell in love with the story, BUT the moment Amy cried out to Laurie in Paris in the beginning, jumping off the carriage, running in her dazzling puffy dress to engulf him in a bear hug, I immediately said "Oh! I hope they end up together!!" And while Jo and Laurie's relationship is very heart warming romantically they could NEVER work, and so I was very excited by the ending with Laurie and Amy getting married.

I first read the book when I was in elementary school. It was the first book that didn't have a completely happy ending, with beth dying and the main dude from the beginning did not end up with the main girl and it made me so upset, but as I grew older I totally started to understand how the different ending is consistent with the characters and what alcott was saying all in all. I really love how at the end you said the story is more about Jo finding her self and her relationships with her sisters rather than about who they fell in love with!

this is the video i needed in 2019 but im glad i found it at least

My thoughts exactly and nicely presented too!

Beautiful insight. Nice to hear from a man!

Yay!!! New sage video

I love ur description.💗

Honestly I agree with you buddy It is a good explanation

My excitement for this video is beyond anything!!

Your video actually helped me understand my relationship with my friend, even though I watched that movie before. Thank You so much that you share your thoughts on this chanel

Omg, i just little women and i remeber a i saw your video "kakashi the ninja who lost everything" and omg here i am again.love your videos.

greta gerwig is a genius i can't wait to see what else she does in the future

"even though it isn't romantic, their platonic love can still be powerful." this is a really well written video. fantastic job, you convinced me

Well done! You speak my thoughts!

dude.. using your lie in april music is just so.. heartwarming

I loved this movie so much I’m glad you got to it👍🏾

First video I've watched of yours and subscribed at once !! Your explanation as well as articulation is very good and well done. I agree completely, just that, i found it a teeny bit weird for Laurie to marry the little sister of the woman he thought he was in love with (i don't say loved cause i feel he confused being comfortable with a person with romance, which though complementary, are different, especially in this case). He had much more sensual chemistry with Amy. To her, he was a man. To Jo, he was a boy, a brother even. Anyway, great work🙏❤️

I want to thank you for your insight into the dynamics between Jo and Laurie and Amy and Laurie. Yours is the second commentary I watched which prompted me to watch this adaptation which I thoroughly enjoyed because of its practicality and realism

Excellent video!

Irrelevant to this video but you should go over the Korean Film 'Burning' it's a very symbolic one that leaves your mind thinking the entirety, stunning visuals and Steven Yeun is in it aswell!

Anyone who thinks Jo and Laurie shot have been together has provided seen too many bad romcoms where a guy obsesses over and finally wears down an unwilling woman into accepting him. In what world is ir either healthy or romantic for somepne to propose by saying "I'll changs everything about myself so yoz would want me, now you must accelr me!' or for the other person to eventually go "I should marry my childhood friend because I'm really lonely and I don't want to lose him as frirnd/faux-brother, even though I'm not in love with him and never wanted to marey him in general and him specifically"? How does "I'm not in love with him, but I'm lonely and want to be loved" a good reason to marry someone?

THIS!! I’ve always shipped Amy and Laurie together. Jo and Laurie are best suited as bestfriends, nothing more.

i am: crying

5:13 YESSS REPLAY!!! Amy and Laurie stans where u at?

Beautifully stated!

I strongly recommend that you read the books (including A Long, Fatal Love Chase) Alcott wrote as well as the biographies written about her. While it's interesting to speculate, the fact remains that Louisa May Alcott is quoted as saying, "I won't marry Jo to Laurie to please ANYBODY". Her publisher was pressing her to marry Jo to someone, as marriage in post-Civil War America was still the only honorable end for a female's youth--and Jo was nearing 30 by the end of Good Wives (the second installment of Little Women; yes, it has a name). Not being married by age 30 (spinsterhood looming) was still an anathema in my youth in post WW II America. It was only with the sexual revolution of the 1960s and the Women's Rights Movement of the late 60s and early 70s that women were beginning to rethink their roles as human beings. By the way, Margaret, the "best actress in the family" as Jo speaks of her in Little Women, married and had a family (she has another daughter by John Brooke before he dies in a later novel--read Little Men and Jo's Boys) and one of her daughters becomes the actress that Margaret (Meg) was NOT permitted to do.

Loved this! I agree with you. :)

At the beginning i so wanted Jo to be with Laurie as they seemed perfect for another and it was so sweet to see how he accepted her for being so boisterous. But the more i think to it He needed to mature to marry and Jo needed to truly be set for it maybe yes they could've married when she decided she did want to marry but Amy matured him and Amy deserved him and he deserved Amy as Amy loved him for so long and in a matter of weeks he was head over heels for her and forgot about Jo and like he said "this love feels different" Jo and the Professor made me cry when I saw how she ran after him he is mature for her and still accepts her boisterous behaviour as a 1860 women he let her open a boys and girls school and continue this book about how Women shouldnt be seen as to live for love and that they have so many more chances in life it was truly uplifting. Would Laurie also let Jo do that? yes but was would he have to mature enough to be able to do that? yes Laurie became the person everybody wanted him to be because of Amy and he really does love Amy and Jo loves the proffessor.

Your video made me appreciate this movie even more.

This was an utterly beautiful video essay. Masterfully written, succinct and to the point and yet, it considered so many views that I had never even thought to explore in relation to this theme and this movie. Honestly, I commend you on this truly inspiring piece of analytical literature. I learnt a lot from the way you put this together. Well done.

Jo wanted to be loved instead of being the loving one. For Laurie, he wanted to be loved one too. But he was going to be the giving one on the one hand the relationship he had with Amy, he was the taker. Not giver. He was the loved one. They all wanted to be loved one. The taker. But Amy was there to give for Laurie. I totally agree about their relationships making sense tho. I tried to look from a different perspective.

BRB going to go watch it so I know the story

I didn't watch the film yet but I watched a ton of clips and I actually loved their pairing and I also read that in the books he really fell in love with her so I don't get why ppl don't like their pairing xD

You put my thoughts into words!

this made me cry🥺👉👈love them together

I like the couples that came out of the story. I think Jo was right in saying she and Laurie would make each other miserable. They both had a childish streak to them that they brought out in each other. They would always be a young boy and girl together throwing tantrums. Where are Laurie and Amy were much more a man and woman with similar ideals about love and life. There’s a childhood charm to their relationship that’s fun and lighthearted as opposed to jo and Laurie a intense childish feel. The childhood friendship between them breaks the otherwise very formal and economic relationships that their expectation in life would have given them. Amy and Laurie just fit into each other’s already existing lives so perfectly. The man Jo ends up with whose name I can’t remember is also so much more suited to Jo. His lifestyle is more free and fun and away from the societal norms that Jo hates. So they too fit into each other’s already existing lives so well. Also Jo is a bit over imaginative and excitable so it makes sense that as a woman she ends up with a very grounded realistic man who can bring her back down to earth but without crushing her dreams. Though so does have a good go at accusing him of it. Everyone gets exactly what they want and need.

i think i really fell for florence phugh in this movie. amy here feels real.

I view my relationship with my loved one a lot like Laurie and Amy. My girlfriend, though rarely disagreeing with me, pushed me to become a better person, and I'm grateful for that.

I read the book before seeing the movie. I knew that they ended up together (thank you, FRIENDS) but I saw the slower journey of their love and so I saw how he and Amy wound up together. I was worried that people who saw the movie without the book wouldn't be onboard with Laurie and Amy, but I'm glad that Gerwig was able to include essential moments that kept true to the story. I love the book and this movie.

This made me want to watch the 2019 version but the original old one is in my heart

Having a boy best friend for 12 years I can assure sometimes you both are soulmates but not necessarily romantic, we had so many people even saying to our back "they are dating" "they are hucking up" or "tana i saw luca with some girl" like ¿? All this after we made clear we weren't dating, Even if we absolutely love each other we don't have sexual tension, we don't find each other attractive like that, it's just, not us, so I can tell why Jo rejected him and why they didn't end up together, they just weren't the love of each other life's amy is, that's it. (Sorry for my english)

I always saw Jo and Laurie together. I felt as though Jo wouldn't submit and turn into and average housewife and Laurie wouldn't force her too, and easily come to terms with that after a few spats. I did think it was weird turning to another sister and that Amy reciprocated. If that happened in reality I think most people even if they rejected that person would feel some type of way even if it was just a cousin.